what to do with no air con

Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:16 pm

OK so I know our summer only lasts two weeks but sweltering in the car yesterday couldn't help but dream of air conditioning. I tried to convince myself it really was -22 outside (obc

) but it wasn't working...

So, as e30 units seem so hard to come by, was wondering if anyone had ever tried fitting something completely different?
Maybe a non-bmw aftermarket kit?

Or should I just wait for it to start raining again?

Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:38 pm

it aint worth the hassle 4 the amount that u will use it

Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:48 pm

i`ve been looking for ages now for an e30 air con system,
its as rare as hens teeth

i have air con in my 535 sport and its so nice.

Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:02 pm

TOURINGDADDY wrote:it aint worth the hassle 4 the amount that u will use it

probably applies to 99% of the work I've done on my car

Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:05 pm

Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:52 am

try opening the windows and sunroof.

Failing that, buy a car with aircon :lol:

tbh mate for the length of time you'd use it, it probably aint worth it.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:21 am

I kind of need A/C where I live and mine stopped putting out cold air and also seemed to put a big load on the engine and made it seem very rough so I decided to get it fixed. It cost a bit and when I got it back it ran ok for about a week and then stopped putting out cold air again, it actaully seemed hotter with it running

. I'm taking it back again tomorrow to get it looked at again so I'll see what happens. It still seems to put a fairly big load on the engine too and makes it seem a bit rough.

I wouldn't bother with it except that I've been through a couple of summers without it and it is a bit anoying (even with sunroof and windows open) and I sweat a massiv eamount just in a 10 min drive which won't be good for my seats that are away getting retrimmed.

Aston

Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:40 pm

Promised myself I would get a car with aircon and then bought 325 Touring without and sweltered on the hot days.

Now got nice South African saloon with air con and you cant beat sittin there smug in a traffic jam when it's hot.

I think the aircon is pretty heavy load for the engine and defnitely affect acceleration, almost doubles idle revs but haven't yet noticed massive increase in fuel consumption on motorways.

Brisbane's pretty toasty in the summer as well.

Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:50 pm

Had A/C on my sport, twas indeed cool as feck

the SE is sadly lacking in this feature but for the short summer in the UK I can survive, my other car has wikkid A/c for those unbearable days

agreed about the load, the compressor uses a few ponies to cool the car and as a result even with the idle raised the car was awful in traffic and lurched @ slow speeds

For a retrofit kit try VEHVAC in Edenbridge Kent, they can A/C anything , work is top class too

dont expect change from 1.5K though

Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:56 pm

Anyone know if European E30s were usually or commonly fitted with aircon?
Must be plenty of E30s in European scrapyards.
I've got all the bits from an E34 aircon set up, which could be adapted fit my M50 engined touring.
The only bit I really need is the heater unit and control panel for inside the car.

Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:38 am

Brianmoooore wrote:Anyone know if European E30s were usually or commonly fitted with aircon?
Must be plenty of E30s in European scrapyards.
I've got all the bits from an E34 aircon set up, which could be adapted fit my M50 engined touring.
The only bit I really need is the heater unit and control panel for inside the car.

My 1987 E30 325 has A/C.. If I cant be bothered to get it sorted then I'll ever break it or sell it as.. depends how much time I have.

Thu Jul 21, 2005 8:15 am

well if you decide you gonna break it....
very happy to come and remove it for you

is it the car that needs sorting or the ac?

Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:14 pm

I bought my touring despite the fact it is white because it had air con. A/C is a feature I can't be without and as soon as I find a late 325i touring in brilliant red with 3 pedals and A/C, I'll change it. (that'll be a long wait then)

oddly enough, I bought my car off a guy in Edenbridge.

Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:52 am

Defective E30 air con systems removed free of charge.

Fri Jul 22, 2005 7:40 am

tjd200 wrote:well if you decide you gonna break it....
very happy to come and remove it for you

is it the car that needs sorting or the ac?

I've spoke to the guy who gave me the motor and he says the a/c is spot on. Car just has some sort of fuelling probs.